People need to take into account that Rielly's gloves came off a full 3-4 seconds after Walker's. He didn't want to fight, but answered the bell.

That's because he was expecting a teammate would step in. It's good he stood up for himself, but it's also a sad commentary on his current teammates. Talented players, like Rielly, will (at times) need to stand up for themselves, but this was a circumstance where a teammate should have been there to take on that role.

That's because he was expecting a teammate would step in. It's good he stood up for himself, but it's also a sad commentary on his current teammates. Talented players, like Rielly, will (at times) need to stand up for themselves, but this was a circumstance where a teammate should have been there to take on that role.

It looked like a good hockey scrap to me....not really sure what you expect from his teammates there.

Could Burke Have Been Right About Rielly being rated at the top of The Draft?

No this isn't my opinion. But it was interesting that on Hockeycentral, a place where they love talking about how horrible the Leafs are, both Kypreos and Maclean today were talking about how terrific Rielly was. Both claimed they talked to top scouts who stated Rielly would have gone #1 if not for his injury.

Did the Leafs catch finally catch a break with the injury Rielly had last season?

We need to temper our expectations with Rielly a tad bit. I'll admit, I'm just as hopeful Rielly is the Leaf's saviour as anybody on this board, but we need to relax.

Personally, I hope the Leafs don't rush Rielly's development. We have depth on defense, and I hope he sees some ice time with the Marlies before the Leafs. Definitely don't want another debocle like the Schenn experience, who was my favourite Leaf and I continued to defend regardless of his flaws.

As for Rielly being our saviour, he has the potential to be an NHL superstar, but let him develop and dominate in the WHL. Give him a few years before we call him our 'saviour'.

No, Rielly is a good prospect, worthy of being picked 5th imo. Burke may have had him ranked 4th, behind Yak, Gally and Murray. But certainly not 1st overall.

If you ask me the top 5 players out of this draft, in order will be:

1. Yakupov
2. Galchenyuk
3. Murray
4. Forsberg
5. Rielly

I'm excited about Rielly, but he is not a saviour.

I agree that Burke may not have exactly taken Reilly #1 Overall like he advertised, but I truly believe he would have taken him #2.

Now that the draft is over, and a few things have come to light, its quite clear it was a 2-horse race for Burke with Yakapov and Reilly.

Galchenyuk has his skating in question to be able to make an impact/adjustment early in his career at the NHL level. Many scouts question his skating ability, and if its his injury or mechanics. Last years sample size of Galchenyuk was so small that the issue was never really answered.

But that also hasn't held Tavares back, even tho Gally isnt quite on his level.

Murray is a fantastic defensive prospect, but they believed Reilly can be more dynamic and make a better impact on his game with his raw gift as an OFD.

I really believe Burke would have thought long and hard about this one if he had the #1 Overall pick.

We need to temper our expectations with Rielly a tad bit. I'll admit, I'm just as hopeful Rielly is the Leaf's saviour as anybody on this board, but we need to relax.

Personally, I hope the Leafs don't rush Rielly's development. We have depth on defense, and I hope he sees some ice time with the Marlies before the Leafs. Definitely don't want another debocle like the Schenn experience, who was my favourite Leaf and I continued to defend regardless of his flaws.

As for Rielly being our saviour, he has the potential to be an NHL superstar, but let him develop and dominate in the WHL. Give him a few years before we call him our 'saviour'.

Just a thought

There's absolutely no way he'll be given "a few years" to develop. This kid is a physical phenom whom already has elite NHL level skills in pretty much everything except Defensively (which is teachable and easy to shelter).

I will not be surprised at all if he makes the NHL as an 18 year old, he's that good. I personally won't object to him spending the rest of the year in Junior and being able to go to the World Juniors, but he'll be in the NHL very soon I promise you that.